Bring Your Own Platform (BYOP): Build, Buy, or Borrow?

Facebook has Platform. Google has OpenSocial. Many social networks are choosing to also roll out their own application platform offering. See an overview of social platforms from Bebo, meebo, and NetVibes, and find out what choices they made in creating their social platforms.

Oren Michels

Mashery

Oren Michels brings more than 15 years of experience to his job as CEO of Mashery. Michels has a proven track record with experience across multiple industries. Previously, Michels was vice president of business development at Feedster, where he negotiated partnerships with AOL, Real Networks and Mitsui, and oversaw the company’s activities in China. Prior to Feedster, Michels was president of Colt HR, a leading provider of outsourced benefits administration software and services to the mid market. He also co-founded WiFinder, an international provider of directory services for wi-fi public access hotspots; served as president of winebid.com, where he managed the company’s growth and helped establish it as a leading online wine auction market; served as COO of two manufacturing companies; and as CEO of The Groundlings, an entertainment production company in Hollywood.

Michels began his career as a software designer for Hughes Aircraft and has been a consultant to companies in the management, financial, marketing and information technology industries. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from MIT and an MBA in finance and entrepreneurial studies from UCLA’s Anderson School.

Seth Sternberg

Honor

Seth Sternberg is the cofounder and CEO of Honor, a service modernizing the home care market and making it easier for older adults to remain in their homes with joy, comfort, and grace. Prior to Honor, Seth was the cofounder and CEO of Meebo, a web communications platform that reached $50M in revenue and close to half the US Internet population. After Meebo was acquired by Google, Seth became a product director working on the Google+ platform and Google X. Seth is an avid cyclist and loves working with entrepreneurs in his free time.

Jessica Alter

Bebo

Jessica is Director of Platform and Business Development at Bebo. She leads the platform strategy and community at Bebo as well as multiple business development efforts. Prior to Bebo Jessica worked in business development at Hands-On Mobile. She holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from University of Michigan and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Chris Damsen

Netvibes

Chris Damsen is VP Business Development at Netvibes. During his six-year tenure as Senior Director of Business Development at Ask.com/IAC, Chris led its syndication division to more than $200M in annual revenue. He also established key relationships with more than 100 partners including AOL, Google, Lycos, BellSouth, CNET, Apple, EarthLink, and InfoSpace.

Jeff Roberto

Friendster

Jeff has over 11 years experience managing multi-faceted programs in social media, e-commerce, product development, and partner marketing for Internet companies and services. He’s currently developing new customer acquisition and retention marketing programs for Friendster. Jeff joined Friendster in 2004 and was the first member of Friendster’s marketing team. He’s very active in the social media space and publicly speaks often regarding trends and thought leadership in Web 2.0.

Prior to joining Friendster, Jeff held an E-Commerce Manager position at Roxio/Napster, Inc. from 2000-2004. He worked on various online marketing programs for both brands and managed Roxio’s e-tail software business.

Before Roxio, he spent three years at Priceline.com and oversaw the launch of several marketing initiatives including affiliates, search engine strategies and partner incentive programs. Earlier in his career, Jeff was a member of the intellectual property team at Walker Digital, LLC (company that founded Priceline.com) and Promotions Director for WHUS Radio (UConn). Jeff holds a BA in Marketing/Communications from the University of Connecticut.